Ephesians: Devotion 3 - August 27 - September 2

Let Go and Let God

Have you ever felt as though you have been placed in a situation or position that you feel is too difficult or absolutely impossible for you to handle or do? I know I have felt that way before. This week in our devotion time, we are going to understand how we are to rely on the power, strength, and wisdom of God rather than our own power, strength, and wisdom. In fact, we tend to make situations worse when we attempt them in our own abilities. We have got to let go and let God take control and work all things out according to His desires and in His ways and not ours.

We also must come to the understanding that God knows all things, and He already has ways of accomplishing all outcomes.It is up to us to find God in all situations and trust Him and allow Him to have complete control to work as He so chooses. We must also seek His methods rather than creating our own.

Consider the situations you are facing this week as you work through the devotions each day. What is God doing in and through you and what does He desire to accomplish?

The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed

Sunday: Read Ephesians 3:1-7 “For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.  Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power.”   As you read this passage, focus today on the point that Paul considered himself a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Let’s take some time and ponder on that thought. Exactly what does he mean when he says he is a prisoner? What does it mean to be a prisoner? When we think about a prisoner, we usually think of someone who has been locked in a cell with iron bars and has no freedom to roam about as he/she so chooses. We also think this person in prison has committed an awful crime and is being punished for his/her atrocious deeds.

Lets unfold that thought in relationship to Paul being a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Paul has determined in his mind to consider himself as a prisoner who does not have the freedom to go where he pleases and do the things he wants to do. It is as though he has placed himself in the confines of where and what God desires for him to be. He is not to live and do as he wants, but he is to stay within the boundaries set for him by God.

Is this a punishment for his wrongdoing? No, this is where being a prisoner in this aspect differs from being a criminal prisoner. Being this type of prisoner is a blessing and is for his protection. God has created Paul for a specific purpose in life that as he continues within the confines of God’s plan, he will receive the blessings of God and ultimately have peace and joy within his heart.

Have you ever submitted yourself to God to the degree that you consider yourself a prisoner of Jesus Christ—no longer acting on your own accord, but completely acting in His accord in all things? Spend some time in your prayers and journal today reflecting on the true meaning for your life as you submit and completely become a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Do you need to let go and let God have complete control over you, so you will have His protection and care even while you are suffering through certain unpleasant situations?

Monday: Focus on Ephesians 3:1-7 “For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.  Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power.” As we meditate today on the same passage as yesterday, we will gain a deeper understanding of all the promises and blessing the gospel has to offer. We will understand how to unlock the mysterious secrets of God that are found through our salvation in Jesus Christ. We have a special advantage over those who lived in the days before Christ. We have access to understanding the secrets and promises of God through the Holy Spirit who was sent to us as a result of Jesus Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, we can have direct access to God and receive guidance and understanding from Him. We also have access to the power of God to act in us and through us as we strive to accomplish His will. In times of difficulty or situations that seem to be impossible, we have the ability to access the power of God to withstand and rise above those difficult situations and accomplish the impossible tasks. If God has called us to withstand and complete something, He will fully equip us to do it. He will never throw us under the bus or leave us hanging to do it on our own.

We seem to get into to trouble and make bad situations become worse when we begin thinking on our on or doing according to our own ways and thoughts. We must learn to work and live only in the confines of Jesus Christ and let go and let God take control as we go about our lives.

In your journal today, record a situation you are facing. Next, list the thoughts and plans you have for going through this situation. Who seems to be in control? Are you acting within the confines of Jesus Christ? Do you need to restructure your thoughts and plans? Answer all of those questions and pray that God will give you the ability to be equipped by Him rather than by yourself.

Go in the power of God today. I have to do this daily, and the days I do not are the days I have great difficulties within my spirit. I also must admit to you that this is not always an easy task to do. The human side of me wants to take control and think it out for myself. Once again, I must remind myself, that when I take control, I make things worse.

Tuesday: Focus on Ephesians 3:8-12 “To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory” Today let’s think about what God is doing in our lives as we live completely according to His plan and His control. When God has complete control and is able to lead us through difficult days, He will then bring us to newer and better levels of service. In other words, He bestows upon us great riches and blessings that only He can provide as we go in His plan and act according to His complete control. Also, he is only able to do this for us and in us, as we remain humble in our own thinking in regards to ourselves. He desperately wants to take us to these better and more rewarding levels, but He is limited by what we allow Him to do. The only way to go to such higher levels with Him is to go according to His methods.

Because these methods may not always be easy and pleasant, we stifle God’s plans for us and remain in the current status, which is mediocre. Yes, sometimes the mediocre is a bit easier, but consider all the extra blessings we miss by remaining in this state.

Today in your journal write your perception of your status with God. Are in a mediocre state or are you being moved to the elevations that brings the special blessings and rewards of God?

Wednesday: Focus on Ephesians 3:8-12 “To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” Today let’s focus on going and doing in the boldness and confidence of Jesus Christ. As we are striving this week to go with the plans of God, we may become tempted to falter because these plans are difficult and even scary at times. When these thoughts occur in our minds, we must put our focus on God and remain strong in the confidence and boldness of Jesus Christ.

Today pray that God will reboot in your thinking and mind, so you can continue on. Don’t let the stresses of the situation get the best of you. You can do this. Keep your focus on God and rely on the confidence and boldness that comes through the Holy Spirit as a result of Jesus Christ. In your journal write a statement of your going in that confidence and boldness in all you face today.

Thursday: Focus on Ephesians 3:13 “So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.” Today let’s focus on why we are doing what we do. This will enable us to remain calm and not become over anxious. Too often we become anxious, and then we become discouraged and withdraw from pursuing the established plan as set by God. This passage is strongly encouraging us not to lose heart when we seem to be suffering, but to continue going with the understanding that it is all for the glory of God. This verse today serves as a reminder to stay close to God and continue walking in His path and trust Him as we go.

In your journal today express your thoughts of where you are in your journey with God. Are you struggling with the anxiety of the situations? Do you need to submit your fears and anxious emotions to God and receive a renewed sense of peace and strength?

Prayer for Spiritual Strength

Thursday: Focus on Ephesians 3:14-19 “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Today we will gain a deeper understanding of dwelling in Spiritual strength. When we bow our knee to our Heavenly Father, He will strengthen us with His power all the way to our inner being. Today’s words from me are short, but your reflection with God should be long and deep. Perhaps you are in need of the indwelling sense of the spiritual strength that only comes from God. In your journal write a prayer in which you ask for God to infiltrate your inner being with His spiritual presence and strength.

According to all His riches of glory, God wants to bestow His strength and power upon you. Let go and let God have the freedom to bestow it deep within you in a transforming kind of way.

Friday: Focus on Ephesians 3:14-19 “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Today we will focus on being rooted and grounded with all that God has to offer, so we will know and understand the love of Christ and be completely filled with all the fullness of God. In other words, we need to understand the love that is stemmed in Christ, so we will have the capacity to understand that we can be completely filled with the fullness of God to the degree that we become consumed with all that God has to offer us. We do not have to remain in the condition of being sunk in deep misery and discouragement. Because of the love of Christ, we can rise far above the misery that has encapsulated us for so long.

Again, I say, “Let go and Let God.” He desires for you to become grounded and rooted in His love and become completely filled with His fullness. In your journal write your thoughts on this concept. As you write discuss and analyze your level of being filled with the fullness of God. Here is a question to consider; are you completely full of all God has to offer you? If not, what are you lacking, and what do you need to do about it?

Saturday: Focus on Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Today let’s think about the capabilities of God working in and around us. We see in this passage that He is able to do far more than we could ask, think, or even imagine. He has the power and ability to do anything He desires. There are times He allows us to suffer, so He can show the church and the world that He is at work doing great and mighty things within our lives. We are the tools by which He proves to the world He has amazing power. He is to be glorified in all that is accomplished in and through us. Praise Him for His greatness and His accomplishments. He deserves to be praised.

We must be careful not to put limits on what God wants to do in and through us individually. We should give Him free reign to teach us, grow us, fill us, and bless us abundantly. Allow Him to give what He desires, which will be way more than what we think He will do.

In your journal today, answer the following questions: 1. Are you hindering what God desires to do within and through you? 2. Are you allowing God to be glorified through you? 3. Have you completely let go so God can have control?

As you reflect on this week’s devotion, has God done something really cool and amazing within you? Write about it in your journal. Now, begin sharing what God has done. Please also share in the comments on the website, so we can rejoice with you.